Optometrist salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Optometrists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $154,660 a year ($74.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,020 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $145,950. There are 0.17 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $137,480, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| 25th percentile | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Median | $154,660 | $74.36 |
| 75th percentile | $170,890 | $82.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,020 | $86.07 |
| Average (mean) | $137,480 | $66.09 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,888.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,444.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,948.46 |
| Weekly | $2,974.23 |
| Hourly | $74.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $157,210 | 260 |
| Columbia, SC | $156,350 | 90 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $150,010 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $149,380 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $130,390 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $92,800 | $44.62 |
| Physicians, All Other | $163,900 | $78.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,780 | $61.43 |
| Pharmacist | $145,950 | $70.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,920 | $61.98 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Dentists, General | $121,090 | $58.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,790 | $47.50 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,650 | $122.91 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,550 | $36.80 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for optometrists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $154,660 a year, or $74.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $179,020 a year. The top 25% earn $170,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,100 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $96,820 or less.
How many optometrists work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 70 optometrists are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.